Courts cases to be linked over the internet

ANYONE involved in a court action will be able to use e-mail to file claims, submit legal documents and pay fines once a five-year plan to modernise the judicial system is completed.

There are also plans for a "virtual courtroom", where people will be able to contribute to a case via the internet without having to appear in person.

The Courts Service yesterday confirmed it was working on the new e-Courts initiative, aimed at speeding up the courts' operations and increasing access for citizens to the courts.